Sasha knew that her Father observed her training daily with great pride. Though her late winter scare with the Defias she kept a close guarded secret. There were some things it was better that he didn’t know. Frightening as the incident had been it had given the aspiring huntress a great deal of confidence that she could if she needed to handle a bad situation.
Devin Wrynn had returned from an unremarkable deployment in late spring, providing mostly assistance, and clean up in Lakeshire, he could plainly see how much his only child had matured in his absence. He watched on as her arrows struck true, and the length of her shot increased. He saw her keen observance of the wilds and all in it. She had survived the long hard winter without him, and by all appearances, she had thrived.
She was still his tiny little princess, a slight girl who weighed no more than a hundred pounds. Yet her confidence seemed unbounded. He knew what he must do. She would be wasted just living here as an almost virtual hermit, unaccepted and ridiculed by polite society. He had decided unbeknownst to her that he would speak with his superiors of her uncanny abilities.
Late that spring Sasha received a correspondence from her beloved Erin, it had been a year now since she had last seen her. This letter was unusually thick, almost bursting the envelope. She ran her finger over the stamp marked with the postmaster’s seal in Dalaran, a place she had never been. The fabled floating city that she had often wondered about, and promised herself she would see one day. Slowly she neatly tore the missive from the envelope, it read…
‘My Dearest ‘sister,’
‘I now truly understand your distress and awkwardness, you see I have wonderful but possibly alarming news. I have had the fortune to fall in love with the most wonderful man. He’s a student mage just like me. He’s so clever, handsome, and charming. Almost perfect right? Except he’s a blood elf. He’s an aspiring Silver Covenant mage would you believe! My Mother is of course upset, you know how dramatic she can be. Father so far has been rather quiet on the matter, I sense he isn't the happiest, but at least he does not relentlessly hound me over my decision. I can’t imagine just how hard it was for you to express your love for Gorthan...’
Sasha read and reread the letter, she was so happy for Erin.
The wet and cool spring days gave way to warmer ones. Wildflowers bloomed, and useful herbs flourished after a long winter dormancy. Baby birds chirped in nests up high, and a plethora of new mammals opened their eyes for the first time on the new world. The surrounding forest was teeming with life.
Sasha had as usual risen at dawn and after training with Frostfyre for a time sought out herbs to harvest and dry for the next winter. She often left her Father snoring in his cot, with Thane lounging lazily next to him.
The hour was still not late as she returned to their home. She could spy the lazy smoke drifting from the chimney, so she knew her Father would be up and preparing breakfast for them both. He smiled up at her as she entered with her bunches of fresh-picked herbs. She hung them up to dry as her Father was serving up fried eggs and rashers of bacon.
“That looks wonderful,” Sasha commented as she sat down at the small table.
“Crispy bacon, just the way you like it.” Devin winked at his daughter.
Sasha smiled and the two of them ate, it was not long before everything was gone from the table, and they were both comfortably full.
“Oh, I have something for you my Dear,” Devin said as he reached for his satchel, it came this morning while you were out foraging.
He pressed a scroll into her hands, it was sealed with a seal that she didn’t immediately recognize, though, in the back of her mind, she knew she had seen this symbol before. It featured a quarter moon suspended over a tree of life.
“Who on earth would write to me?”
“Open it,” her Father pressed.
Sasha obliged him and she read the contents in silence. Her dark eyes widened in wonder at what she read there. It was quite some moments before she could compose herself to speak, and on looking at her Papa she realized that he must have had a fair idea what the missive contained.
“You have earned it,” he said.
“It’s from Ayanna Everstride, she has invited Frostfyre and me to try out for the hunter school!” Sasha’s excitement was unbridled.
“Yes, I have worked many a time with Ayanna, I think you will like her. I spoke to the Major about your abilities and asked that you be considered this summer.”
“Oh, Papa!” Sasha leaped from her chair and hugged him ever so tightly.
Finally, the path to her long-held dream could become real.
His dark eyes met hers with seriousness. “Before you do this though I must stress that military life can be a lonely one, and a hunter’s even more so. One often works alone, scouting forward in hard and dangerous terrain. Long days, cold nights, and much discomfort living in the field. Not many fellow women for company, just a pile of cranky old men.” He laughed. “But all humor aside my girl, this will be no easy path. I want you to be doubly sure it’s what you want. I wasn’t there for your mother as much as I wanted to be. If I had only known how short our time together would have been, perhaps I would have taken a different path. I see the drive in you my Dear just as I had it at the same age. No path is without regrets or recrimination later, but I want you to choose with your eyes open.”
“I do want it, Papa, with all my heart.” She could hardly believe this was happening. “Well Papa, it’s not like the men of Stormwind are knocking down the door to marry me.” Sasha could not help but add. However thinking on it there were very few sizable habitations of humankind on Azeroth, so if life in Stormwind was untenable, she really wasn't missing much. She could not really see herself cloistered within the city walls all her lifetime, just as her Aunt Evelyn was. She had always wanted more.
“No Papa, nothing will keep me from this opportunity.”
She hugged him tightly once again, he didn’t always completely understand her, but she knew that he was steadfastly by her side.
*****
There were a few more carefree weeks before the admission date arrived in early summer. Sasha spent them with her beloved Papa and further testing her mind connection with her Worg. The pair had become very adept at complex instructions, and they rode long distances without fear of attack, thanks to her fierce friend.
The treetops were heavy with vibrant green leaves and the second round of baby birds were hatching on the day that Sasha was destined to leave. That particular early summer’s day was beautiful, and she felt very sentimental as she packed the last of her things before heading off into the wide unknown.
There was a part of her that didn’t wish to leave, the last few weeks had been so lovely, just the two of them and their animal companions with all the time in the world. Now that time had come to a close and with it this chapter of her life. Everything would be new for she had never traveled far from Elwynn, and certainly not to another continent.
Her bag was all packed, she had checked over its contents with frequent repetition in the past few days, bordering on a compulsion. Diligently making sure she had forgotten none of her treasures. She didn’t know how long it would be before she saw her home and family again. Finally, she looked at her Father and said, “I think I am as ready as I ever will be Papa.”
Her Father rose from his chair, she noted that his temples were now very peppered with white as was his beard. He was not yet what anyone would consider old, but it disturbed her to see the age creep up on him. She would miss him dearly.
They had made their way through the throng of gaily dressed shoppers and citizenry on this bright morning. They stopped by to say farewell to her dear Aunt and Uncle, Aunt Evelyn had baked them some delicious gingerbread cookies to nibble on as they traveled. Sasha residing many months in a place without people about, didn’t enjoy the press of the crowds as they continued on over the bridges and through the cobbled streets, hemmed in by shops and stone cottages.
They could have sailed by boat directly to Teldrassil, however the sea voyage was long and arduous. Devin had decided it best if they used the mage portals. There was no direct one leading to Teldrassil, it may have seemed like an oversight but the night elves were very proud and suspicious folk. They also shunned the use of magic. They may have been included in the Alliance, but they could not always be relied on to be steadfast allies, and they often sidestepped or ignored requests from the King. The pair would have to travel first to the Exodar, the seat of Draenei power, and from there take a boat a short distance to Rut’theran village that stood at the base of Teldrassil.
Finally, they reached the Park district. Sasha had walked here on occasion, it was a very picturesque place, she looked skyward at the tall spire that dominated the district. The fabled Wizard’s sanctum was built of the same stone that much of the city was crafted from. As she peered up between the surrounding trees thickly canopied in summer green, she could see the impossible, unsupported spiral ramp; that too crafted of stone that ran all the way up to its entrance multiple stories above. No one actually knew what was in the base of the tower below. Arcane secrets she guessed.
It was then they were approached by an elderly, balding man, dressed in flame-red robes. “I am Archmage Malin, can I see your passes please?”
Sasha withdrew the golden lion medal she wore about her neck beneath her tunic. On receiving it she hadn't known that it was an official pass to use the portals at will. Sort of ‘the keys to the city.’ If one didn’t have such an accolade they would have to be granted the appropriate papers to make the journey. The portals were mostly for heroes, and those of military rank, or dignitaries. They were only used by the general populace if permission was granted. The only way to circumvent the restrictions was if one knew a mage personally, however that was rare.
The elderly archmage looked at their medals and nodded. “Safe travels,” he said.
She felt her Father squeeze her hand, Sasha looked up at him, and her dark eyes shone. Frostfyre’s wet nose nudged her side.
“You ready?” he said.
Sasha nodded and mentally prepared herself for a new life. She confessed she was afraid to enter the swirling dark green and purple rune-etched portal at the entrance, she had never used one before.
“Does it hurt?” She questioned last minute. Fighting back the desire to just put her hand through to the other side at first just to test if it was safe. She didn’t wish to look stupid to other passersby.
“Well you feel a little odd for a few moments, but no it does not hurt, come on.”
Sasha scrunched up her eyes and took her father’s strong hand, and in moments she was standing on the other side. She didn’t feel anything, at least not in the way she had imagined she might. She opened her eyes and beheld a high vaulted chamber with yet another portal identical to the one she had just come through at its end.
“Why so many portals Papa?”
“Who knows my lass. I’m not a mage.” Devin chuckled, as he greeted Larimaine Perdue who stood by the next portal, and they passed through into the next area.
“Oh look!” She cried, “a magic broom!”
Her Father just chuckled at his daughter’s enthusiasm and wonder.
All sound of foot traffic was muffled by the thick carpet runner in the King’s colors that stretched the entirety of the hallway. Sasha gazed about her wide-eyed, there were huge magical constructs that guarded doorways, and many mages stood about talking. There were many travelers too. An important-looking paladin passed them resplendent in shining armor. She imagined her cousin Erin would probably work here someday.
They turned right at the end of the corridor into one of the major portal rooms, two mages stood at each portal keeping them open. She sighted a very handsome blood elf with flaxen hair that held the Dalaran portal open, on looking at him she could see why her cousin was so infatuated, he was indeed a gorgeous-looking elf!
She wished she could have taken that portal, with her cousin being so tantalizingly close. Outside she could hear the Stormwind clock tower chime the hour of midday, she was surprised the sound carried here through such thick stone walls.
Her Father must have read her mind, he often did, “Erin will be home next Winterveil and you two can catch up then.”
Sasha nodded as they reached the second portal, this particular one kept open by a pair of Draenei keepers. Without ceremony, her father led her through. A moment later her eyes were scored by a beautiful amethyst light as they emerged in the vault of lights. Her Father who seemed to know where he was going escorted her through the immense chamber to the pathway that led outside.
The peacekeepers greeted them politely as they passed, dressed in purple and gold and bearing large maces. The climb was long and steep to the surface of the Exodar. Sasha had so many questions running through her head, but she was so enamored with her unusual surroundings that she didn’t have the voice or will to ask them.
The pair emerged into the bright daylight, she could now see the vast structure of the crashed mother-craft and many satellite buildings that surrounded it. They made their way past an immense arch and down the well-worn pathway to the sea. On the way she noticed that there were many huge, pink glowing crystals that littered the landscape, the Draenai seemed to use them everywhere.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Hey Kella good to see you,” Devin called to the beautiful night elf huntress that stood under the shelter of a small rather crudely constructed building. It looked as though she was guarding supplies.
The two of them hugged, Kella was a good head taller than her Father and he was no short man. She had lovely purple hair plaited in a single thick braid that hung over her shoulder. Sasha found herself wondering what it might look like if it were combed out, exquisite she suspected.
Kella turned to smile warmly at Sasha, her eyes were to the young woman quite unnerving at first, they were like radiant moonlight, with barely noticeable pupils.
“This must be your daughter, and wow what a beautiful pet! I thought you had a lion Devin, or was I mistaken? Isn't that an orcish battle worg!”
“Oh this isn't my pet, this is my Daughter’s, and yes it’s an orc worg. She tamed her all by herself. I still have Thane my lion, he’s lazing about at home.”
Sasha had never had anyone take positive notice of Frostfye before and it made her feel warm inside. She was beginning to feel less hesitant over living with these often haughty and beautiful elves, it seemed they appreciated many of the same things she did.
Kella smiled down at her kindly. “Well that’s some kudos to you sister, I have never seen anyone but a full blooded orc bond with a battle worg.”
The trio spoke for a time as they waited for the ferry to arrive which would take them to Darnassus. When the ship did dock they said their farewells to Kella and boarded the boat. The sea was flat and kind on this bright summer’s day, and they made good time.
They landed in Rut’theran village toward late afternoon and walked ashore across the long wooden jetty. Under the huge, carved wooden arches the elves had sculpted from massive chunks of wood. Sasha was spellbound. The light was different here in northern Kalimidor, the bird sounds too. It was indeed quite another world. The village was small, there were a few scattered buildings and docks, it seemed for the most part to be a sleepy fishing village, and a place for goods and travelers to reach Darnassus.
“Look over there,” her Father pointed to her left.
She had been so busy studying the night elf architecture and admiring the graceful sentinels, that she had failed to notice the biggest tree that she had ever seen, Teldrassil. She turned where her Father had indicated and her mouth was agape. She had read about the world tree, but never did she dream it was this large. All she could see was an immense branching stump that formed the entire island off the coast of Kalimidor. She pushed her keen eyes to see the top, but it was lost in the mist and the clouds.
“Come on we are almost there.” Her father again tugged on her hand.
Before them were two purple clad sentinels with emerald hair, both carrying the curious triple bladed weapons of their kind. Blades that could easily be thrown or used as knives in close combat. The sentinels nodded politely as Sasha passed on by beneath a strange stump that looked like the unearthed roots of a long dead tree, which was surrounded by glowing rune stones. Beneath the stump flickered with what looked like a pinkish, magical veil.
“After you,” her father said.
Sasha more confident now led the way, and suddenly she was standing in Darnassus, Frostfyre by her side and her father just behind her.
“Beautiful isn't it?” He said as he rested his hands on her narrow shoulders.
“It feels so ancient and sacred Papa. Blessed by Elune.”
They meandered through the city toward the main thoroughfare that ran out of its center, Frostfyre was maniacally sniffing at everything in her path. Sasha had to mentally reprimand her many times to leave the sentinels alone. Most of them just smiled or laughed at her cold nosed intrusion, they didn’t seem at all bothered by or afraid of her pet, not like her own countrymen had been.
The city was both elegant and beautiful. The trees were larger than any tree Sasha had ever laid eyes on, even the ancient oaks of Elwynn were small compared to these. It was hard to believe that this entire place was inside of a singular tree. There was a large central lake crisscrossed with bridges, and many gorgeous sandstone cupolas that stood on tall Doric columns, covered in rambling ivies. Lanterns hung at intervals that glowed with a blue fey light, and large butterflies hovered over the parkland seeking nectar from the numerous flowers.
They made their way beneath the imposing Warrior’s terrace, and out toward the main gate that led out of the city. There she sighted a huntress on the back of her immense night saber. She saw the elf look her way with approval and she smiled a shy smile. Purple flowers festooned the grass as they made their way out of the front gate and into the forest proper.
“Oh by the light Papa, that tree over there is even bigger than the ones in the city, and there are living ones too!” The young woman stared in disbelief at the creaking, purple-bearded ancient as she passed by.
“Those are the Ancient Protectors, they eternally guard the pathways and the entrance to the city. We will all be quite safe.”
Beautiful strigid owls flew in the forest glades, and from time to time they would greet a fellow traveler, mostly other elves, for very few nonnatives ventured this far north to this remote world tree. They passed a quaint settlement of craftsmen, and crossed an arched bridge, though the creek below it had run dry. She could see that once people had traveled across the great log that had been felled and still lay quietly rotting, covered with moss perpendicular to the bridge. Strange living lamp posts crowned with more fey light lit the path at intervals. They were probably very pretty by night.
The road began to run downhill and the walking got easier, and by now the sun was beginning to set, the shadows growing dark and long giving a feeling of menace to the forest environs. Her father greeted a group of huntresses’ mounted on their night sabers, it appeared he knew them well, and a druid passed them at a gallop in his stag form. Sasha’s mind immediately wandering to the brave Ruzuluku. She really wished she knew where her dear friends were.
She thought she caught a glimpse of a dark night saber in the shadows further off the trail. The furtive beast was covered in stripes, its long tusks protruding from its jaws. Frostfyre paused and sniffed the air, she growled softly but did not leave the trail. They rounded a corner and there was Dolanaar.
Dolanaar was a small village, most of it built into an immense tree on a multitude of levels, there was a large inn that stood across the way, today it was fully occupied by applicants that were trying out for placement to the hunter school this summer. There was a gryphon master, some vendors in the arcade beneath the lodgings, and a small cottage that stood somewhat distant from the sprawling inn. Behind this inn was the cook’s station and a beautiful glowing moonwell.
Sasha had only read about such waters with magical properties. She knew that they could be used to create fine fabrics that were much sought after, like the beautiful dress that Tyrande Whisperwind had worn to the triumph. They could also be used in distilling curative tinctures and potions.
Another ancient patrolled here, her father had assured her the enchanted creature would easily fell any Horde who tried to trespass. Not that many did. This was one of the reasons he had chosen this particular school, he knew it was probably of all of them the best protected, and he himself had trained here. He knew the trainers personally, and he knew what to expect.
He settled his daughter into her assigned space in the upstairs of the inn, putting down her heavy bag at the foot of her bed. A bed that had a glorious view of the forest below.
“I hope you are happy here,” he said as he hugged her close. “Study well, and we will all see you next Winterveil.”
“I will Papa, I will make you proud.”
“Well it’s time I made the journey back young lady, keep in touch, as you saw there’s a convenient mailbox just outside.” He hugged her once more before departing into the encroaching dark.
*****
Sasha slept terribly with all the strangeness about her, and all the people. She had grown used to the quietude of her former life. Today she rose well before sunrise, not that the sun was always so easy to see here deep in the forest of behemoth trees. Frostfyre had slept by her bedside all night. The young woman had kept waking and reaching down to pet her trusty friend, she found Frostfyre’s familiar presence somewhat calming in this strange new place.
Calm was something she needed today, as she was very nervous, for today was testing day. Eighteen applicants were vying for only five placements. There would be a lot of disappointment by the time the day was over. Sasha prayed that she would not be one of them.
All the potential students were to assemble after breakfast. The cook Zarrin had prepared a fine spread, even if some of the foods were rather unusual. Given that most of the aspiring students were night elves the cuisine choices were understandable. There were herb baked eggs which Sasha found particularly moreish, she nibbled cautiously on the Kaldorei spider kebabs which she decided were an acquired taste. The gooey spider cake was though unexpectedly delicious, and she really enjoyed the brilliant small fish.
After the large breakfast, the hopeful candidates assembled before the inn. Where they were instructed to follow the trainers into the forest just behind the village. Nearly all of the contenders were night elves, but there was one human male, and one gnome female surprisingly. She didn’t know the other human, so she surmised that he was probably not from Stormwind. Perhaps he was from a smaller settlement, like Westfall, Duskwood, or Lakeshire?
There were only five female applicants, three of those were also elves, beautiful, graceful creatures with tamed night sabers, and one with a golden eyed owl. Looking at them Sasha’s confidence took a nosedive, surely they would be much better rangers than she could ever hope to be? Elves seemed imbued with so many natural abilities, the very reason human rangers were so rare, as elves were difficult to compete against. Though she did notice Frostfyre got a lot of attentive glances from even the most haughty among them.
Then there was her roommate, a gnome by the name of Kelsey Ipswiddle, she didn’t have a companion like many of the applicants. However she did have a very substantial rifle, and she told Sasha she knew how to use it. The tiny pink haired gnome seemed very intrepid, and Sasha had decided she had liked her from the start.
The hunter trainers Ayanna Everstride and Dazalar appeared before the inductees instructing them on the order of the day’s events. They would be asked to complete tasks in the three schools of hunter training. Survival, marksmanship, and beast mastery.
The first test began without fanfare. The instructors paired everyone off and handed them wooden training staves. Sasha had been paired with Isanara Wildfold, the night elf with the great owl companion. Sasha instructed Frostfyre to go sit a short way away in the deep leaf litter, as Isanara let her own companion fly onto a low hanging branch to observe the contest.
At the given signal, the paired-off applicants were to attack one another and defend. Sasha quickly discovered much to her horror that she was not at all cut out for anything in the survival tree. She was way too small to be effective at any kind of melee or close-range combat. She had difficulty defending with the wooden staff, she simply didn’t have the size or strength to attack with any kind of ferocity.
Both she and Kelsey ended up at the bottom of the grading, it was a terrible way to begin the day. A very tall and muscular male elf named Tammad Darkglade had won the survival test, and surprisingly enough the human male named Alexi Hanley had come a close second. Alexi’s burning hazel eyes seemed to never leave Sasha alone. Every time she would dare to gaze in his direction, he would be staring at her. She liked it not at all.
Next came the Marksmanship section of the test. Sasha did reasonably well, her archery had greatly improved in recent months and she had Gorthan to thank for it, and of course her relentless practice back in Elwynn. She scored in the upper third of the pack, which she was mightily pleased with, but no one could outshoot the diminutive Kelsey, she hit the bullseye every time. It didn’t matter the distance, or if the target was moving or still. She finished undisputed at the top of the pack.
Finally the beast master section of the test was conducted after lunch. Sasha had been so nervous she could do little more than take a few sips of water. She hugged Frostfyre and awaited the order nervously. Those who already had companions put them through their paces and those who did not were taken into the forest to see if they possessed the ability to tame one.
One of the night elves named Deryn had a pet spider, Sasha had no idea if the creature was female or male but it was huge, green and furry, it seemed though it did very little in response to Deryn’s commands. Thoroughly embarrassing the young man in front of his peers.
Other pets seemed to obey simple instructions fairly well. The night elf Isanara Wildfold with her horned owl was the toughest competitor, her beautiful bird seemed to do all that it was asked. It banked and swooped, it grabbed sticks and carried rocks, all at her command. It was a perfectly trained pet.
Then it was Sasha’s turn, she knew she would have to really do well to make the cut, considering how awfully she had done in the survival section of the test. ‘Come on Frostfyre we need to do this. No mistakes.’
Frostfyre raised her bi-colored eyes to her Mistress, and Sasha gave her an almost imperceptible nod. This was the moment, the one that would define the fork in the road. Would she be that ranger and rescue her love, or would she return to spend the rest of her existence in a small cottage as a hermit in Elwynn?
They were given a series of maneuvers, which Frostfyre performed flawlessly, that was until a hare raced out from behind the base of a large tree. Frostfyre broke off the mind meld for just moments, Sasha felt a panic that she fought to reign in. Would her worg’s prey drive overwhelm her, or would she disobey? At once reestablishing the link with her canine friend.
She heard Isanara Wildfold’s owl screech at the sudden appearance of the hare, and it made to flutter from her mistresses shoulder. However Sasha ignored the commotion, she was working hard to curb her worg’s natural predatory desire. Frostfyre though had already taken the hare in her mouth, it let out a shrill scream of distress. Sasha feeling that her entire future was in jeopardy fought to save herself from situation. She commanded Frostfyre angrily in their joined mind state to NOT harm the creature. An idea had come to her as to how she just might save the situation.
‘Do not hurt it! Bring it Frostfyre.” The white worg turned and loped casually back toward them. She could see that both Ayanna Everstride and Dazalar were watching the events with clear interest.
‘That’s it girl... be calm... don’t hurt it... bring it to me.’
Frostfyre brought the still struggling hare to Sasha and sat calmly before her. Sasha extended her hands and the great worg set the frightened creature in her outstretched palms, it was completely unharmed but frozen in fear. There was much muttering and intake of breath as all witnessed this display of utter control. Sasha just hoped that her creative save had been enough to impress the selectors?
*****
It had been an eventful and exhausting day. The evening meal was served as the forest was bathed in twilight, and at its conclusion, Ayanna Everstride would announce who had been selected to attend the hunter school in Darnassus.
While they ate Kelsey and Sasha spoke of their day, both of them were nervous being very unsure if they had made the cut.
Finally Ayanna spoke, “I do hope everyone has enjoyed their time here as our guests. It was a very good attendance this year, and we saw some tough competition. Usually in times of war our recruiting is very low.”
Everyone put down their beverages and eating utensils, all eyes on Ayanna. The room fell into silence, all that could be heard momentarily were the sounds of the surrounding forest.
“So it is with great pleasure I announce the five inductees. The first for his excellent overall performance Tammad Darkglade.”
It was obvious this particular night elf was popular, everyone cheered raucously for him. He stood and went to the instructor to receive his certificate of admission. He was tall, over seven feet, his muscles rippled beneath his surreal dark blue skin, that made his long white hair and his moon touched eyes glow. His wickedly tusked pet boar was always at his side.
“The next recipient who also did remarkably well overall is Alexi Hanley from Darkshire. We don’t often see humans represented, so congratulations are in order.”
Great! Sasha thought, if I do get in, which looking at the selections so far seems unlikely, I will have him staring at me all year! Alexi’s small gray wolf was pretty though, the kind of pet that Sasha had often originally daydreamed of owning. Everyone politely clapped, but Sasha could sense many of the elves were not happy about this choice. There were only five spots available after all.
“Now for her incredible display of marksmanship, I would like to congratulate Kelsey Ipswiddle. I will be looking forward to see just how far you go young lady.”
Kelsey could hardly contain herself, she let out a spontaneous, shrill, high-pitched whoop of joy. Sasha pat her on the back in a gesture of camaraderie. The clapping was decidedly sparse, but Kelsey seemed so happy that she didn’t notice.
“The fourth certificate goes to…”
Sasha was by this time beginning to feel very despondent, already beginning to formulate what she was going to tell her family and friends when she must return home empty handed. Maybe she could reapply next year.
“Isanara Wildfold, for the wonderful display with your owl Starlight, congratulations!”
A ribald cheer erupted from the crowd as the beautiful elf with flowing green hair received her accolade. Starlight swiveled his head three hundred and sixty degrees and looked perpetually shocked on her shoulder.
“Now for the last consideration, for the most incredible display I think I have ever seen of passive control of a very difficult beast, Sasha Wrynn.”
Sasha didn’t move at first, she really had not expected to gain a place. She felt Kelsey prompt her and she went forward almost in shock. Frostfyre was by her side, a steadying influence as she took the certificate in trembling hands.
“Well it’s been a strange year, never had we had so many admissions outside our own race...
The rest of Ayanna’s speech was lost on the young woman. She didn’t care if few cheered, this was a hard-won victory. It would set her on the path to finding him, and being that which she had always desired. All that mattered right now was Frostfyre was there. Gorthan’s and Gashnaka’s greatness would live on.